New Cell Modem Install

[16ACE27]

Some may recall that we use the AT&T Connected Car Plan for our Internet use in the MH. We jumped on this plan when it was available with the Mobley adapter at $20 + taxes per month for "unlimited" Internet that can be de-prioritized after 22 Gb of high speed 4G LTE in a month.

The Mobley adapter worked OK for a couple of years but then we moved the SIM to a Netgear LB2120 Modem mounted on the wall ($160):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQRHQYT

This worked better for several years. At one point we installed a Winegard crank-up base and a variety of external antennas looking for better signal strength at home (weak AT&T signal strength) and at the MIL's house in DeLeon Springs where we frequently visit. None of the external antennas provided much of a boost over the internal antenna, likely due to cable and connection losses. They did help marginally though.

Last year we moved to a newer Netgear modem with support for more LTE channels, the LM1200 for $110:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R813HLW

Despite the additional channels it just didn't seem to work as well as its predecessor, so I returned it.

I then came across an outdoor LTE modem on the jungle site that was on sale for $159. Made by a Brazilian company and unlocked/certified for use on the AT&T network.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091BL1Q44

Unlike the Netgear modems it was not a simple Plug-n-Play by moving the SIM card into it. It required some interaction with their Tech Support which was great once the Christmas period was past and it worked great. It has the ability to be directional with the included reflector as well as do a scan for all cell networks and provide a report with signal strengths:


So now to mount it on the Winegard crank-up base. The big problem was, unlike the TV or Cell antennas that retained the same orientation when lowered/stowed as when raised/deployed I wanted this modem to present a flat minimal wind surface when stowed and traveling, and to stand upright when stationary and deployed. This took some engineering and trial/error but I got it figured out using a pivot and bellcrank. So when deployed, it looks like this from the ground:


This is roof level deployed and rotateable:


And this is what it looks like lowered/stowed:


At our house where we have very weak AT&T signals before we now have 85% to 95% signal strength. Over 10 Gbs download and 5-6 Gbs upload as compared to under 3 Gbs down and under 1 Gbs up before.

[Soarer]

Thanks for sharing your outstanding report. It’s good to know what doesn’t work as much as what does work.

[dkoldman]

If I follow...

Should I ever find myself in a repeated area with poor AT&T or T Service mobile or reception, the ELSYS AMPLIMAX 4G Outdoor LTE Modem is option.

To do so, I have a one time $200 investment. It require a dedicated sim from AT&T or T - Mobile which will ongoing cost. I am guessing $25/mo just for the line that includes enough data to cover all my streaming needs?

If so; this sounds similar to the T Mobile Home internet setup, but the black box would be replaced with the ELSYS AMPLIMAX 4G Outdoor LTE Modem that is believed to bring in stronger signals. (Being mounted on the roof would confirm that belief.) or in my case, I wonder if same SIM in Black box could be moved to the ELSYS at least temporarily if I ever had weak signals.